De los Reyes willing to ‘surrender’

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes is willing to withdraw the appointment of Dr. Paulus Mariae Cañete as acting president of the Talisay City College if doing so would resolve the ongoing dispute over the position.

De los Reyes said he is willing to “surrender” just so the students at TCC can graduate this month.

The decision, however, would depend on whether or not the members of the school’s Board of Trustees will attend the meeting De los Reyes has set for tomorrow, March 26.

Last week, the 11-member BOT voted in favor of the appointment of Ritchel Bacaltos as the acting college president. The vote, in effect, set aside De los Reyes’ executive order appointing Cañete to the position.

The BOT made its decision more than two months after the position was vacated but the vote was made without De los Reyes. The mayor happens to be the chairman of the board.

De los Reyes said he did not attend that meeting at the Commission on Higher Education-7 because it was reportedly called behind his back. He said he knew that the board members would overpower him because majority of them were appointees of former mayor Socrates Fernandez.

De los Reyes also said that the BOT has been ignoring the meetings he himself called purposely to discuss Bacaltos’ appointment. He said he called for a meeting six times.

 â€œKaunom ko mipatawag og meeting nila aron hisgutan, dili manungha. But karon magpaubos gyod ko. Basta motungha lang sila karon petsa 26, kining problemaha ako na nang sulbaron. Posible nga akong bawion (appointment ni Cañete). Mo-surrender ko tungod ug alang sa mga estudyante,” he told reporters.

 â€œKining sitwasyona akong gusto luwason ang mga estudyante. Ang mga ginikanan nga naglibog gihapon…  Sa ubang panahon, ibutang lang sa ni imong armas aron maluwas lang ni imong anak. Akong ibutang akong gahom,” he said.

He said the graduation, which is set tomorrow, may push through and that he might attend the ceremony if only to prove to the students and their parents that he only wants to get things right.

He clarified, however, that he would wait for the court’s decision on Bacaltos’ complaint against him before he would sign the diplomas.

Despite his declaration of “surrender” as far as the issue is concerned, De los Reyes said this does not mean he is freeing Bacaltos’ camp from liability.

“Akong ibutang akong gahom. Pero wa ni nagpasabot nga kining mga mi-hostage walay tulubagon. Di pasabot nga libre na sila sa ilang mga atraso. Luwason sa nako ang mga bata,” he added.

De los Reyes reminded Bacaltos and his supporters that the city government still bleeding from subsidizing the college since it started operating in 2004.

He said the school needs the city government for the salary of its teachers and employees, as well as for its operating expenses. This, he said, is something that Bacaltos should keep in mind.

De los Reyes met with Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday to air his sentiments, but Davide said he will leave let the city government resolve the issue.

“I hope ma-resolve ra ni. They should find ways to resolve this issue. We, in the province, don’t want to interfere unless necessary gyod. Let us leave that to the City officials,”  Davide said.  (FREEMAN)